Cable ties failed to secure rail claws

An SMRT staff testified that rail claws on SMRT’s rail network continued to dislodge even after they were secured with cable ties, reported Channel NewsAsia (CNA).

SMRT officer Loke Kwok Hoong revealed to the Committee of Inquiry (COI) that even though cable ties were used, claws have been dislodged from the third rail.

Loke, who was the night duty officer, added that the cable ties, put in place following the massive train disruptions on 17 December last year on the North-South line, were "normal, industrial cable ties, not the special ones," reported CNA.

Loke was also questioned about the cracked mirror of a multi-function vehicle, used to inspect the third rail before the major disruption.

In response, Loke said he was not aware of the cracked mirror until the massive disruption occured. He added that had he been on duty the day before, he would have been concerned and initiated an inspection, reported AsiaOne.

According to the report, he also clarified that that not all night duty officers would have the same knowledge about the inspection vehicle.